James Buchanan 15th President of the United States
James Buchanan - Vice President: John C. Breckinridge Party: Democrat Term: 1857-1861 Occupation: Lawyer Wife: None (His fiancée, Anne Caroline Coleman, broke off the engagement and died a week later)
Other Government Positions:
Member of Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1815-16
A Life in Brief: In the 1850s, the question of slavery divided the United States. Hopes ran high that the new President, "Old Buck," might be the man to avert national crisis. He failed entirely. During his administration, the Union broke apart, and when he left office, civil war threatened.
Click HERE to read hisInaugural Address
James Buchanan started as president in 1857 to 1861. He was born in Mercersburg, PA on April 23, 1791.
James Buchanan lived in a small log cabin. He was named after his father. He was Irish. He worked in his father’s store. James Buchanan was expelled from his school for breaking the rules. The job he had before he was president was a lawyer.
When he was president he supported slavery. He helped establish better relations with Great Britain. After he was president he wrote a book called Mr. Buchanan Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion .He also joined the army.
James Buchanan died on June 1, 1868. He was over six feet tall. He was the only president who never married. James Buchanan learned to subtract and keep books at his father’s store. EM-3rd grade
Here are some interesting facts that you may not know.
He was a former Minister to England.
Because he was never married his niece Harriet Lane was the first lady in the White House.
He was born into a well-to-do Pennsylvania family in 1791. He was a graduate of Dickinson College and was gifted as a debater and learned in the law.
He was elected five times to the House of Representatives; then, after an interlude as Minister to Russia, served for a decade in the Senate. He became Polk's Secretary of State and Pierce's Minister to Great Britain. Service abroad helped to bring him the Democratic nomination in 1856 because it had exempted him from involvement in bitter domestic controversies.
He was the only resident of Pennsylvania and the only bachelor to hold the office of President.
He was the only president never to be married.
During his term, the John Brown raid occurred on Harper's Ferry.
During his term, the Lincoln-Douglas debates were being held in Illinois.
During his term, the Confederate States of America declared their independence.
During his term the Dred Scott decision was passed which decreed that a slave was not a person but forever property.
His niece, Harriet Lane, acted as hostess for the White House, was known for her charm, and was referred to as "The Belle" of Washington.
Because of the Civil War, Buchanan actually believed he would be the last president of the United States.
First job was a lawyer
Member of the Mason Society
Published one and only book “Mr. Buchanan's Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion”
Nickname was "Ten-Cent Jimmy"
Buchanan had the opportunity to buy Cuba for only $90,000,000, but Congress wouldn't let him because they thought he would steal the money and run away!
He is said to have the neatest handwriting of all the presidents.
When England's Prince of Wales came to visit the White House in 1860, so many guests came with him, so Buchanan had to sleep in the halls!
Buchanan was farsighted in one eye and nearsighted in the other. His left eye also sat higher in its socket than his right. He tipped his head to the left and closed one eye when talking to people.
He sent a note to newly elected Abe Lincoln saying, "My dear sir, If you are as happy on entering the White House as I on leaving, you are a happy man indeed."
James Buchanan was the first president to send a transatlantic telegram.
15th President of the United States
James Buchanan -
Vice President: John C. Breckinridge
Party: Democrat
Term: 1857-1861
Occupation: Lawyer
Wife: None (His fiancée, Anne Caroline Coleman, broke off the engagement and died a week later)
Other Government Positions:
- Member of Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1815-16
- Member of U.S. House of Representatives, 1821-31
- Minister to Russia, 1832-34
- United States Senator, 1834-45
- Secretary of State, 1845-49 (under Polk)
- Minister to England, 1853-56
Presidential Salary: $25,000/yearPresidential Election Results: ||~ Year ||~ ||~ Popular Votes ||~ Electoral Votes ||
Click HERE to read hisInaugural Address
James Buchanan started as president in 1857 to 1861. He was born in Mercersburg, PA on April 23, 1791.
James Buchanan lived in a small log cabin. He was named after his father. He was Irish. He worked in his father’s store. James Buchanan was expelled from his school for breaking the rules. The job he had before he was president was a lawyer.
When he was president he supported slavery. He helped establish better relations with Great Britain. After he was president he wrote a book called Mr. Buchanan Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion .He also joined the army.
James Buchanan died on June 1, 1868. He was over six feet tall. He was the only president who never married. James Buchanan learned to subtract and keep books at his father’s store. EM-3rd grade
Here are some interesting facts that you may not know.